Search Results for: folk

Five For Fighting, whose popularity surged after the post-September 11 embrace of the group’s single, “Superman (It’s Not Easy),” returned to New York Monday (March 11) as the city and the country marked the six-month anniversary of the terror attacks. The group was scheduled to perform Tuesday (March 12) at the city’s Irving Plaza. Frontman John Ondrasik said the timing makes perfect sense. “You know, in New York the song kinda has a different meaning than kinda around the rest of the world. You know, considering the Concert For New York and all of my conversations with firemen and what… Read more »

When the Eels debuted in the mid-Nineties, being a tortured artist in the slippery world of alternative rock implied some level of ironic distance. God forbid that an alt-rocker directly admit to having feelings – at least not without a little wink-wink, nudge-nudge. Eels frontman E does his share of winking, but his real-life tragedies – within a two-year period, he lost his sister to suicide and his mother to cancer – have kept the singer and songwriter more honest than your average Nineties moper. In 1998, E dealt head-on with his personal loss on the Eels’ stunning album, Electro-Shock… Read more »

“Sort of like a Satan sandwich.” – That’s how singer Ozzy Osbourne, whose life will be brought to the living rooms of MTV fans, described living between neighbors Meatloaf and Pat Boone. But Boone, perhaps surprisingly, wins Osbourne’s “best-neighbor” award. “I was a bit nerdy toward the very name ‘Pat Boone,’” Osbourne told reporters. “But when I got to know him I was so pleasantly surprised. He was such a nice man.” Despite Osbourne’s hard-rocking pedigree, his family is feuding with his current neighbors, who Osbourne says bother them with late-night noise. “This guy thinks he’s some sort of folk… Read more »

The following is a complete list of winners at the 44th annual Grammy Awards, which took place at the Staples Center on Wednesday. Categories marked with an asterisk were handed out during the main, televised ceremony. * RECORD OF THE YEAR “Walk On” – U2 * ALBUM OF THE YEAR “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” – various artists * SONG OF THE YEAR “Fallin”‘ – Alicia Keys, songwriter (Alicia Keys) * NEW ARTIST Alicia Keys * FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE “I’m Like a Bird” – Nelly Furtado MALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” – James Taylor… Read more »

Will U2 find what it’s looking for on Wednesday, when it competes for eight Grammy Awards at the music industry’s biggest bash of the year? Or will the Irish rock quartet be rattled by folk musicians, soulful R&B divas and tireless troubadour Bob Dylan? Nothing is ever certain about the Grammys, whose industry voters frequently stun music fans with oddball choices, including last year’s album of the year prize to semi-retired jazz-rock recluses Steely Dan. In the past few years the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, which organizes the event, has tried to improve the awards’ image by… Read more »

Garbage will headline a series of North American shows beginning April 19th in Toronto. Shirley Manson and company, who last toured the U.S. on the third leg of U2’s Elevation tour, will play more intimate club venues on this outing. The dates come in continued support of their October 2001 release, Beautiful Garbage. More dates will likely be added to the stretch, now scheduled to wrap up May 10th in Milwaukee. Garbage Tour Dates: 4/19 – Toronto, Kool Haus 4/20 – Cleveland, Agora Theatre 4/21 – Detroit, State Theatre 4/23 – Plainview, NY, The Vanderbilt 4/26 – Philadelphia, Electric Factory… Read more »

Michelle Branch’s Zilo-sponsored Lotus Tour finishes up Sunday (February 24) in Norfolk, Virginia, but Wednesday night (February 20) at New York City’s Irving Plaza she got a visit from the president of her label-who just happens to be Madonna. The Material Girl attended with a few of her girlfriends, and it was a very low-key, laid-back appearance, a source confirmed for LAUNCH. Madonna was entertained and impressed, staying at the venue for Branch’s whole set. Lucy Woodward and Transmatic opened the show. Branch has a one-off date Tuesday (February 26) in Atlanta, and then rests for about a week before… Read more »

Steve Macklam and Sam Feldman are pleased to announce the signing of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright to Macklam Management and S.L. Feldman & Associates‚ management roster. “We‚ve been watching his growth for quite some time. It’s rare to see an artist emerge with such a wonderful combination of talent, character and originality,” agree Macklam and Feldman. “We’re thrilled to represent him.” Wainwright, who was just nominated for two Juno Awards (Canada’s “Grammy”) for Best Songwriter and Best Alternative Album, launched his first headlining theatre and club tour Feb. 8 in Boston in support of his sophomore effort Poses (DreamWorks), which debuted… Read more »

“How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Michael Stipe asked the crowd soon after R.E.M. took the stage Thursday night at the venerable venue. “Practice,” the crowd blurted in unison. “Well, we didn’t,” Stipe responded. “So if you hear a bum note or something that doesn’t sound right, I urge you to sing louder in your head.” The tour-shy Athens rockers and granola-pop folkie Jewel were among those on hand for an evening of spirited entertainment at “You Gotta Have Friends: Partners in the Fight Against AIDS,” a benefit for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. ( from the event.) Judging… Read more »